Songs and Stories Take Centre Stage at Down Arts Centre

An evening of song with celebrated local songwriter and performer, Anthony Toner, is coming to Down Arts Centre on Friday, 8 March.

The singer who is famous for his song ‘Sailortown’, will be showcasing the release of his new collection, ‘Our Lady of the Wind and Rain’ at the Arts Centre as part of a major tour of Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.

Once memorably described as 'James Taylor meets John Prine in a second-hand book shop', the Coleraine-born performer is revered for live performances that feature between-song patter and stories from the road. The show will feature new material as well as old favourites, a few cover songs and maybe even a rhythm and blues classic thrown in for good measure!

Saturday, 9 March brings ‘I Shall Wear Purple’ to the Arts Centre. This black comedy, produced by theatre company c21, is the fifth collaboration with writer Rosemary Jenkinson. The play focuses on Olivia, newly resident in a care home after a heart attack and the home’s young art therapist, Tom.

Olivia and Tom want different things—she wants out of the home while Tom is desperate to stay as the wages it pays keeps his head above water—but both find they start to rely on each other for friendship and support. Olivia, played by local actress Stella McCusker, and Tom, played by Patrick McBrearty, show that it is possible to forge a real friendship across the generations that transforms the way they look at life.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “Both the performances coming to Down Arts Centre will delight audiences. Anthony Toner is known for entertaining an audience with the story songs that come from his heart.

“I Shall Wear Purple challenges us to think about our own outlook on life, and how people from different background and generations can help each other through difficult situations, with laughter and friendship.”

For a full list of all the entertainment in Down Arts Centre this winter please pick up a brochure from Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick. Full programme details are also available online at www.downartscentre.com and to join our mailing list please call box office on 028 4461 0747.